It’s crazy the masses of stranded FIGHTING CONCHS and HORSE CONCHS I showed you over 2 weeks ago (CLICK HERE) are still on the beach at Gulfside City Park.
Blind Pass Captiva has come and gone with shells a few times in the last weeks so each day is a surprise to what we find. The best thing I’ve found there recently is 10 year old Ryan from New Jersey. This kid has learned so much about shells, he could name every shell on the beach. It was so much fun to see that he was just as obsessed with all shells and bling… hmmmmm… I think I see a future Malacologist in the making. ;)
He’s pretty darn good at finding awesome shells too.
It was a special trip to Sanibel for Ryan and his grandma Hilarie – he was teaching her about shells. There’s something else interesting about this next photo too… this beach is on the inside of jetty rocks at Blind Pass Captiva- that beach is back! Over the years the sand shifts back and forth- opening and closing the pass. It’s amazing to watch the power Mother Nature has to build a beach or take away a beach within a matter of days. (CLICK HERE and HERE to see other Blind Pass changes)
I took a quick little video of the shells at Gulfside again to share with you… Honestly, it kind of makes my head spin to see all of them so its hard to focus on looking at anything else.
I just have to focus on a few other sweet treasures… and remember at times less is more.
Holy smokes! I still wanna know how that happens! How can a bunch of Fighting Conchs be swept up on the beach one day, and a bunch of Whelks or something else be swept up another day? There must be beds of these different shells deep in the ocean that get swept along with the current or something.
Anyhoo—it’s great to see Ryan loving the shells and all. Maybe he’s a future marine biologist in-the-making!! We can only hope!
Oh my goodness! I can’t believe how many Florida fighting conchs got washed up! That’s astonishing.
It’s amazing to me that the populations can recover from such a mass mortality.
I wonder if Ryan and his grandmother might have time to visit the shell museum? Perhaps he could get to meet José Leal, and see that it is possible to be a professional shell studier!
Thanks for the great images Pam. :)
Susan, I saw Jose at Blind Pass while Ryan was there and introduced them to each other- it was perfect! Jose gave him a special card to invite them to the museum – Ryan was very excited and told him he wanted to go anyway. I hope they saw each other at the museum as well.
Oh Pam, I am so happy to hear that Ryan got to meet José. Thanks for introducing him!
Pam, THIS! This is why I admire you so much – you are so generous with your time and your talents. You educate and inspire. And you make it fun! Thanks again for all that you do. I look forward to when I can see you again.
Oh my gosh!!!!!!!!! I have no words other than wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Pam,
I will be there the last week of April and sad to see that my dates doesn’t fit into your shelling dates. This will be my first time visiting Sanibel. I love this blog and seeing all these photos. I’m getting so excited for our visit.
Thank you for sharing your passin.
It makes me sad to see all of those live shells all over the beach! I’ve been following the phenomenon through a few different venues online and I’m blown away each time I see the pictures. Honestly, it’s breaking my heart. Some are saying it is due to red tide, some are saying its the release of the river water, etc. What is your take on it, Pam??
Pam – I love the post and thank you for making my son Ryan’s first trip to Sanibel that much more special.
-a grateful father, Tyler Smith
Thank you again for your informative posts. I am now on Manasota Key and there have been live fighting conchs rolling in every day. I have spent much time throwing back these live shells. I am looking for sharks teeth and have not found as many as hoped, but some small ones. All is a gift!
WOW,all the fighting conchs is just AMAZING! And I love the scallop sunset? picture. The colors just blend so beautifully.
Pam have you ever seen this many fighting conches and the other shells that are in the video? I just hope nothing is wrong and why are there so many? It’s good for the sellers that are there now, but will it cause problems later on?
Pam, I always learn from & enjoy your blog entries & pictures. Shelling is my passion even though I don’t live in Florida yet! The shifting sands are so amazing.
Pam, do you have any idea what the largest fighting conch found is? We found one the other day that is noticeably larger than any we’ve ever seen. Also, do you know how rare an opposite-handed fighting conch is? Thanks for all that you do!